Saira Mirza
Summary of Chicano and Hispanic theatre in the USA
Chicano theatre is theater of Spanish speaking people in the US all the way from the early sixteenth century. Starting out as religious plays, they became well known in California, and then spread to Chicago. Focusing on issues such as assimilating to the American culture and language, this theater was very relatable to many. Disappearing slightly during the Great Depression and WWII, it flourished again during the 1960s when the country was going through its civil rights movement. Chicano theater was spoken in Spanglish to appeal to the "Americanized" public and focused to educate people on the Chicano issues. The problem they now face is the decline in groups and publications. Hispanic theater is mainly made of Americans from Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. This also started as religious plays and grew significantly during the civil rights movement. The main parts are Chicano theater, Cuban-American theater, and Nuyorican theater. Mexican theater is like Chicano theater as well. It focuses mostly on religion and there is a lot of improvisation to make each play unique. Puerto Rican theater was more community based, trying to lesses the oppression and difficulties faced by the many poor immigrants. Comfortable spaces were used and audiences were treated with great respect in having them participate in the theater. All these forms of theater were tools of education, raising awareness, and comparing the majority and minority cultures and beliefs. The people needed something to help them adjust to a new life, and theater was the helping hand and form of bringing a piece of home to America.
Summary of Chicano and Hispanic theatre in the USA
Chicano theatre is theater of Spanish speaking people in the US all the way from the early sixteenth century. Starting out as religious plays, they became well known in California, and then spread to Chicago. Focusing on issues such as assimilating to the American culture and language, this theater was very relatable to many. Disappearing slightly during the Great Depression and WWII, it flourished again during the 1960s when the country was going through its civil rights movement. Chicano theater was spoken in Spanglish to appeal to the "Americanized" public and focused to educate people on the Chicano issues. The problem they now face is the decline in groups and publications. Hispanic theater is mainly made of Americans from Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. This also started as religious plays and grew significantly during the civil rights movement. The main parts are Chicano theater, Cuban-American theater, and Nuyorican theater. Mexican theater is like Chicano theater as well. It focuses mostly on religion and there is a lot of improvisation to make each play unique. Puerto Rican theater was more community based, trying to lesses the oppression and difficulties faced by the many poor immigrants. Comfortable spaces were used and audiences were treated with great respect in having them participate in the theater. All these forms of theater were tools of education, raising awareness, and comparing the majority and minority cultures and beliefs. The people needed something to help them adjust to a new life, and theater was the helping hand and form of bringing a piece of home to America.